Retail matters

Trade shows such as Kind + Jugend Baby Show in Cologne offer an unparalleled opportunity for businesses to build relationships, discover the latest trends, meet potential suppliers, and gain valuable industry insights. Myself and two of the Online4baby buying team are greatly looking forward to attending this year, after a fantastic event in 2022.

Our business is growing due to our investments in tech, brand and of course product, so Kind + Jugend is an important date in our calendar as we continue to drive the business forward.

I’ve attended countless trade shows as we’ve grown Online4baby from a market stall to the business it is today. They are a chance to meet like-minded peers, share insights, and catch-up with our suppliers face to face.

On top of these, a trade show is a trendspotting hub. It enables us to keep our fingers on the pulse of the industry, observing which product categories are gaining popularity, what new designs are making waves, and what innovative solutions are on the horizon. By spotting these trends early, we can anticipate our customers’ future needs and adapt our product range accordingly.

The insights we gain from Kind + Jugend will undoubtedly influence our future direction, particularly as we seek to expand our own-brand range of products, Puggle. Already wellestablished in key categories including travel systems and car seats, we are eager to leverage these learnings to broaden into other categories. Senior Buyer Jenny Hughes says: “It’s really exciting to see product and new developments in-person, particularly as we continue to seek new supply across all categories.”

Our mission with Puggle has always been to provide quality, safety, and comfort at a price point that offers value to our customers. Therefore, we will be paying close attention to what our customers, and indeed the industry as a whole, are gravitating towards. We aim to identify new product categories that align with our brand values and meet our customer’s evolving needs.

“It’s always good to hear the insights from people like Trend Forum too”, Jenny Hughes adds.

Whether it’s eco-friendly baby care products, innovative sleep solutions, or cutting-edge baby wearables, our objective will be to identify gaps in our current range and identify opportunities where Puggle can provide a compelling offer. We will seek potential suppliers who can help us deliver on these aspirations, ensuring they share our commitment to quality, safety, and sustainability.

By immersing ourselves in the heart of the industry at Kind + Jugend, we aim to come away with a clear view of the landscape that lies ahead. Our attendance at this trade show will be a crucial step in Online4baby and Puggle’s journey towards becoming a well-rounded, comprehensive retailer that caters to all aspects of a baby’s life and parent’s needs.

The world of baby retail is vibrant and dynamic, and trade shows like Kind + Jugend enable us to stay at the forefront of this industry. Attendance will help us deliver our mission, to help parents buy with confidence, as we continue to evolve and expand our range to meet their needs and expectations.